When Smallpox Swept Over EMU's campus

The story.

Don't forget to pick up a print version on Thursday, to see the smallpox cartoon.

Support your local paper, nag, nag.

Thanks to the Courier!

Wednesday Mystery Spot

Last weeks Mystery Spotters alertly noticed that I had foolishly not renamed the jpg. It said "Gilbert.jpg," and this is indeed a painting of thechildren of John and Harriet Heartt Gilbert. The children gave the Gilbert Mansion to the city. For years this 1870 picture by J. K. Grego hung in the Gilbert living room. The home was later used by the Boys' Club of Ypsilanti.

After the last child pictured died, Miss Alice Gilbert in 1946 (she is at top right) the picture was stowed in a barn on the property.

It stayed there for seventeen years.

(story at left; click to enlarge).

Its re-discoverer thought the painting was just some old crating in the barn. It was salvaged, and restored by J. Charles Collins.

"One of the children," says the December 3, 1963 story about the painting (from which the aforementioned facts were gleaned), "at the upper left of the picture, John T., died before its completion, and the artist finished his likeness from a tintype. The boy had been born in 1863."

A search shows that John died on July 16, 1870, at 6 years and 6 months, of brain fever.

This week I have cleverly remembered to rename my jpg. It's a tricky one, though. A couple of objects give you a hint as to the era, and this place was briefly mentioned in one of my earlier pieces some time ago. Take your best guess and good luck!

Doodles from 1923

Page from the 1923 "Ypsi-Dixit" high school yearbook once owned by Helen J. Beal (class of '24).

Ypsilanti Poet-Farmer William Lambie Hated the Smoking Car

Dusty D has been reading William Lambie's poetry of late and got curious as to where his farm is. A check of old plat maps reveals that it was 80 acres just north of Highland Cemetery. Amazingly, if you look on Google Maps, you can still see the faint outline of his and his wife Mary's farm.

Lambie immigrated here from Scotland at age 18 with his father and mother. He married Mary Campbell and they had 6 children. Lambie kept a diary and wrote prose snippets and poetry. He was known as a poet in his day, and wrote several poems celebrating silver and gold wedding anniversaries of neighbors in the community.

One thing he didn't celebrate was the railroad smoking-car. After failing to find a seat on the train one day, perhaps on a trip from our Depot to Detroit to get something, he resigned himself to sitting in the smoking-car.

William soon regretted this decision, and made no bones about it in his poem "The Smoking-Car." Note the Poe reference at the end.

THE SMOKING CAR
The passengers told me, in their glee,
They could not find a seat for me,
But all the standing room was free.

And forward stood a door ajar,
Where one was lighting a cigar ;
So I went in the smoking-car.

Right in the strong tobacco fumes,
Where men were smoking in platoons,
Puffing and talking 'round spittoons.

In they came to get a big feed—
What good, clean men do never need—
Their "bill of fare" a filthy weed.

All in a car, like Juggernaut,
Worshipers of the weed are caught,
To give their wealth away for naught.

The pipes were lighted o'er and o'er,
Ever dirtier grew the floor—
'Twas smoke and smell, and nothing more.

I grew sick of smoke and spitting,
In the tobacco temple sitting,
With the foul air around me flitting.

Some were chewing their "Honey Dew,"
Others their "Solid Comfort" blew ;
So I bade the smoky den adieu.

Unlike the solemn bird of yore,
I flitted out the foulsome door,
And left the dirt upon the floor,
And the smoking-car for evermore.
---William Lambie, c. 1883

Jessie Swain's Class Makes "Pink Luncheon" for Carrie Hardy

In April of 1910, Ypsi High School cooking class teacher Jessie Swain* helped her cooking class girls prepare a lunch for fellow teacher and Ypsilanti diarist Carrie Hardy, according to the April 14, 1910 Ypsilanti Daily-Press.

"Miss Jessie Swaine has divided her High school cooking class of eighteen into three groups, each of which will entertain at a luncheon two of the high school teachers."



"Wednesday at 3:45 the initial luncheon was given at the Woodruff school for Miss Hardy and Miss Benham by the Misses Addie Lanin, Teneriffe Thompkins, Clara Wenrick, Lena Ziegler, Goldie Thompson and Clara Sweitzer.

"The menu for this attractive and well-served "pink" luncheon was, first course, cream tomato soup; second, salmon cutlets escalloped potatoes, peas, biscuits, and coffee; third course, banana salad; fourth, baked pudding."

This pleasant occasion may have represented a counterpoint to what might have been, for Jessie, a somewhat lonely life. Neither she nor her sister Florence married. As they grew older, they lived with their mother in the Swain house. Florence is not listed in the 1930 census. Only Jessie, age 51 and no longer employed, is listed as living with 82-year-old Eliza.

In the 1900 census, 52-year-old English-born Eliza is listed as "Lizzie" and as widowed. 23-year-old Florence and 19-year-old Jessie are listed as having no occupations.

In the 1910 census, Eliza is 63. Florence is listed as 35, Jessie as 31, and both are teachers.

In the 1920 census, Eliza is 72 and Florence is 44 and a teacher, and Jessie is 41 and a teacher. All 3 women live in the Swain house at River and Forest.

In the 1930 census, Eliza is 82 and Jessie is 51 and listed as having no occupation; both women continue to live in the Swain house.

Eliza, her husband Frederick, and their two sons Frederic and John are listed in the Highland grave index; Florence and Jessie are not (I haven't been there yet to check their graves; often graves are not listed in the index).

*"Swain" is the way Jessie's name is spelled in the 1880, 1900, 1920 censuses, in the yearbook, and in the newspaper sub-headline. It is spelled "Swaine" in the 1910 and 1930 census, in the Highland grave index, and the body of the newspaper article.

Portrait of Carrie Hardy

One of the Ypsilanti High School yearbooks from the 20s was formally dedicated to Carrie Hardy. The yearbook includes this portrait. I find so much expression in her face and so much written there.

Things I see in her expression are: an unwillingness to put up with foolishness, anger, sadness, a sly sense of humor, resentment, weariness, a desire for order.

Perhaps Not So Refined

Page from the ad section in the "Ypsi-Dixit" yearbook of 1920 once owned by Alice Beal.

House of All Nations

Enraged police, Prohibition moonshine, and raid after raid on a sordid house of ill fame. It's the story of Ypsilanti's "House of All Nations."

The 1919 Diary of Ypsilanti High School Teacher Carrie Hardy

Part of a year-long serialization of Ypsilanti high school math teacher Carrie Hardy's diary.Apr. 8 Tues. School as usual. Mr. Piper entering into school affairs. Lillian remained with me all night. $20 check.

Apr. 9 Wed. Chapel this A.M. Mr. Quirk told of his Red Cross work over seas. Am tutoring N. VanWegen and Samuel Simon.

Apr. 10 Thurs. N. VanWegen did not appear today. P. L. S. met this evening. made fried cakes. Bo't several toilet articles at Wein. Matt. 1 cent sale.

Apr. 11 Fri. After school a meeting of the Parent-Teacher Club was held. Every thing about as usual in school. $40 check.

Apr. 12 Sat. swept, cleaned, washed + ironed waists. Mrs. Purnell called. Lillian stayed all night with me. Mr. Ross fixed my steps.

Apr. 13 Sun. Washed my hair. Did not go to church but went over to Edna's to dinner. Called on Mrs. Hayes who has been sick.

Apr. 14 Mon. Mr. Piper away. Mrs. Drake returned from Chicago convention last night. P. L. S. are planning a party to be held May 3.

Apr. 15 Tues. A great number of students absent on account of the rain. Marjorie Moore invited me up stairs to dinner. Cold + rainy. Awful! Mr. Piper returned this noon.

Monday is Double Deadline Day

...so Dusty D dashed off to do a bout of research in the Archives for one last thing.

Man, is that place creepy when you're alone there.

Dusty D busily checked the microfilm for her target date and stared determinedly at the tiny text. Now, DD is a steely-eyed, iron-stomached, copper-toed realist. I don't cotton to all that ghost nonsense, nosir.

Not too much, anyways.

DD ignored what appeared to be flickers out of the corner of her eye (just my imagination) and a feeling of being watched (bah, indigestion or something).

Then the microfilm drawer closed by itself.

Which it has never done in my frequent use of it in the past.

"Ha ha, how odd!" Dusty D cheerfully thought while leisurely gathering her things at about 95 mph. "Must just be a hidden spring or something, yes, that's it of course," she meditated, while setting the security code in a blaze of fingers and springing like a springbok up the steps. "Funny thing, that."

Tour of Highland Cemetery

It took lots of visits, one with me trying (and succeeding, dang it) to write on wet paper in the rain. Here's tour #2 of Highland Cemetery. There's a pdf you can just print out and zoom!--off you go. (Humbly) My gift to the people of Ypsilanti. Oh, heck, I just made it because I'm interested in grave iconography.

Also, I just love the way saying "grave iconography" makes me instantly sound smart. Doesn't it? I plan to work that phrase into as many conversations as I can this month.

"Hey, Laura, have you considered getting a haircut? You look like a slob."
"I would, but I just spent my extra cash on a book about grave iconography."

Response to Reader Request: Why is Candy Cane Park Called Candy Cane Park?

Dusty D checked the Candy Cane Park file today in the Archives. The only thing in there was one 1995 AA News article about this park in College Heights just west of EMU. Photocopied this.

Boiled down, the article says that the Kiwanis spiffed it up in the mid-50s and apparently named it thus--it was originally called College Heights Park. Was it called Candy Cane because the park was intended for kids? Was it because the park was dedicated around Christmas? Was it because one of the Kiwanis was nicknamed "Candy Cane Carl" due to his penchant for said canes? I still don't know. Perhaps the Kiwanis know. Hmm, wonder if any are reading here. At any rate, research is ongoing and I'll post anything I find when I do! Thanks for the question! Article below (click for larger image).

Response to Reader Question: Pics of Schad(e) Block?

A reader asked if I had any pics of the actual Schad(e) Block, to compare with the one the Bentley ID'd as a pic of said Block. Yepperooney. I could only photocopy them, since the computer-scanner was in use today at the Archives. These photos are from one of the Locations files corresponding with 302 E. Michigan Ave. (roughly, Bomber restaurant today). On the back, the photos were labeled "Schad Block."

Below is the Bentley pic that James Mann ID'd as the first bit of N. Huron Street. James kindly showed me the original, which was printed with the legend "N. Huron Street." Second are the Schad(e) Block pix I photocopied.


And just for good measure here's an ad that was also in the Location file for 302 E. Michigan Ave. There's no date, so I don't know if it corresponds in era to the Schad (bah, go away, "e") Block pix. At any rate, I hope these are of interest! Thanks to James, and readers, for helping solve this perplexing mystery!

Where is that darn Schad(e) Block, anyways?

Dusty D went to one of the foundational books of Ypsi history to find out. In Harvey Colburn's "The Story of Ypsilanti" I found this on page 196:

"The Schade block, at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Park Streets, was built by Leopold Schade, in 1871."

The picture (seen here) that the Bentley Library calls "the Schade Block" and dates as 1895 is, as Joe noted, reproduced in James Mann's "Ypsilanti: A History in Pictures" on page 62, labeled "Seen here is the west side of North Huron Street between Michigan Avenue and Pearl."

Now, I know Mathias Stein had a cigar factory and store in that area, next to Shaefer Hardware and a barber shop.

The 1905 city directory has cigar and tobacco shops in both places:

CIGAR MANUFACTURERS.

Prick G A, 304 Congress E.
Stein Mathias, 25 Huron.

CIGARS AND TOBACCO.

Brichetto John, 15 Huron.
Deuress C C, 22 Cross E.
Manning J H, 212 Congress.
Smith Bros, 103 Congress.
Stein Mathias, 25 Huron.

1905 city directory (personal copy): no listing for "Schad" or "Schade" block.
1910 city directory (personal copy): "Schade Block and Hall, 302-306 Congress E. (Michigan Ave.)
1922 directory (online): 302-306 Michigan Avenue E.
1924 directory (personal copy): "Schade Hall 304 Michigan Avenue E"
1926 directory (personal copy): "Schade Block 302-06 Michigan av E; Schade Hall 304-06 Michigan Av E"

Online PPNA timeline: 1900: The James Brothers Henry and Joseph of Windsor Ontario rent a room in the Shad Block of Congress (now E. Michigan Ave.) and Park St. and set up a gambling parlor called the “Ypsilanti Stock Exchange". 60 or 70 patrons would arrive daily on special inter-urban cars from Detroit. They were run out of town after a few days by Mayor Allen."

But the final word on the subject came from the ever-helpful James Mann. He kindly dug up the original photo he used in his photo book. It is labeled "Huron Street." Dusty D also checked for old pics of the 300 block of E. Michigan. Voila, there it was, several old pictures of the Schad Block. Now gone, it stood at the southeast corner of Park and Michigan. It housed a meat market and the Schad residence was attached to one wall. Thanks to James Mann, the mystery of the Schad Block was finally sorted out!

Porch Swings and Coat Hangers and Civic Pride, on Railroad Street

April 9, 1910 headline in the Ypsilanti Press:

BRILLIANT PROSPECT FOR YPSI COMPANY

"In the Lewis Geer Manufacturing Co., Ypsilanti has an institution which promises to grow to large proportions. The company recently purchased property on Railroad Street and built thereon a cement factory building 80 x 144 feet, one story and basement.

"The company in the seven weeks in which they have been occupying their new building have shipped 2,100 [?--hard to read] porch and lawn swings and say they are way behind on their orders and that their present capacity is being taxed, and the business shows that enlargement will be necessary if the prosperity of this young industry continues to grow in the future as it has in the past.

"The machines used in the factory are all driven by individual motors and are of the very latest type.

"The products of this factory all bear the name of the Manufacturers and the name of our beautiful city, giving it no small amount of advertising as the company's product is shipped as far east as Connecticut, south as far as Tennessee and west as far as Arizona.

"At the present time the company is employing 80 men besides the representatives on the road.

"In the finishing of the swings and seats there are used one barrel of [tlons? lions?] The company recently put varnish from one to three barrels of naptha and from two to three hundred pounds of paint each week.

"Besides the five styles of swings the firm manufactures they turn out a fine line of porch and lawn seats, sleds, and wagons, and coat hangers."

Dusty D is charmed and a little saddened by this story of the little porch furniture company.

The story reflects so much pride in the little company, whose porch swings will carry the name of "our beautiful city" over several states, which the reporter took pains to check: Connecticut, Tennessee, Arizona. Perhaps there's still an Ypsilanti-made porch swing, swinging with a tiny creak or two, on the porch of some foreclosed home on an Arizona back road. Swaying just a bit in the dry wind, symbol of an largely vanished era of industrious hometown Ypsilanti manufacturing.

Ypsilanti Teenager Allie McCullough's 1874 Diary

Apr. 3 Fri. Worked hard all of the forenoon. Mrs. Gill was here for a little while. I did some sewing in the afternoon, then Carrie Newton came and stayed until six oclock. Will and I went up to the Normal Lyceum. I got a seat with Carrie N. I feel provoked at D. because he acted so funny. The debate was good but long. got home after eleven.

Apr. 4 Sat. Did not have very much to do today. Went up to the Library with my book, then up to Joe Keller's. She was just starting for the Library so I went back with her. Then we went and called at Jennie Hendricks and then down to Joe's. Stayed there quite a while. Missed seeing Carrie N. today and I feel kind of lonesome, but she did not ask me to come up.

Apr. 5 Sun. Went to church this morning. It snowed quite a little. There were very few there. Stayed to S.S. Mrs. Parsons was not there. Ida Littlefield took the class. Carrie and I had quite a good talk. She wanted me to go home with her, but I could not and I am glad that I did not for it snowed fearful. Did not go to Church in the evening.

Apr. 6 Mon. Went to school this morning and after such a vacation as I have had enough to go to studying again. It is election day. The Temperance side has gained. Went up to Carrie N.'s about five and stayed until six. She came down town with me. Had ever so much fun up there. Mr. S. was at school this morning. Came over and sat with me.

Apr. 7 Tues. Have had all of my lessons today and some fun besides. Willie went down to Flat Rock this morning and will be back tomorrow night. Walked up to school this noon with Alfred (Lucking). He gave me the minutes that I will have to read next Friday night. Carrie N. came down right after supper. We took a long walk.

Apr. 8 Wed. Did not have to go to school this afternoon on account of Mrs. Ganson's funeral. (Mrs. C. N. Ganson, Ann C. VanCleve, who died April 5, 1874, aged 57). Joe M. came down right after dinner and I went uptown with her to get some music, then up to her house, then up to C. N. Stayed until time for the mail. Got a letter. Mr. and Mrs. Betts and Mr. Padley were here to dinner.

Apr. 9 Thurs. Have had ever so much fun today. Came home and went over to Mrs. Worden's. She was not at home. I have been appointed committee on introductions in Lyceum and Editoress. Bought a ticket today from Jennie S. and paid Prof. C. for my French book. Carrie came down tonight and stayed until after supper.

Apr. 10 Fri. Had fun enough in school today but missed in Geometry. Received about 5 I guess. Went to Lyceum. Had quite a nice time. Read the minutes for the first time. John Stoddard's speech was very nice. Then as there was nothing else to do we adjourned for a social. Came home and hear the Bell Ringers play a tune.

The Ypsilanti Ladies of 1910

Hey! Wanna read about some unconventional jobs Ypsi women held in 1910? I had great fun combing the 1910 directory for printing-presswomen, foremen, (-women), machine operators, and other unconventional women's jobs. Thanks to the Citizen for printing it!

The 1919 Diary of Ypsilanti High School Teacher Carrie Hardy

Part of a year-long serialization of Ypsilanti high school math teacher Carrie Hardy's diary.Apr. 1 Tues. Saw Old National Museum + Smithsonian Institute, Ford Theater + Lincoln Museum. Walked about the Executive Grounds. No one allowed to enter until May 1.

Apr. 2 Wed. Visited Capitol. Build'g, Washington Monument, Congressional Library, + Bureau of Engraving.

Apr. 3 Thurs. Saw Cocoran Art Gallery, Center Market with negro stalls + visited Keith's Theater. Sheldon tok lunch with us.

Apr. 4 Fri. Saw the monastery, the Soldier's Home and took 2 Blue Line trips. Zoo., Georgetown, Fort Myer + many beautiful homes.

Apr. 5 Sat. Purchased ticket for home. Visited Center Market and Pan American Union. **Palmist**. Saw "Better 'Ole" at National Theater.

Apr. 6 Sun. Arose late. Left Washington for home. Came by way of Baltimore + Ohio. Arrived in Detroit at 7:45 Monday. No sleeper.

Apr. 7 Mon. School resumed. Mr. Piper came this P.M. + had Faculty meeting. Lillian + Mr. & Mrs. Ross were in. Awfully tired.

Apr. 8 Tues. School as usual. Mr. Piper entering into school affairs. Lillian remained with me all night. $20 check.

Ypsilanti Teenager Allie McCullough's 1874 Diary

Mar. 27 Fri. I passed 67 in my Latin examination and 98 in Geometry. Went up to Carrie's after school and she came down town with me. Went to Lyceum, had a good time and a busy time during the social. Joe and Carrie N. had fearful fuss and I attended to the Library quite a little. They tried to impeach Lucking. They had a fearful time, almost afraid they would get fighting, but Lucking was voted back to the chair, then the ights went our and we were in the dark a minute. After a while everything was strait and we adjourned.

Mar. 28 Sat. Went to exchange my book this morning, then I went all around to the stores. Went up to Carrie's quite early. Had a nice time, then Carrie came down town with me and I got ready and went up home with her. I shall never forget what Durbin did and said after I got there. We went to the zealots and Carrie and I had a lovely time. D. did not get back until eleven. We played and made bread and had a good time.

Mar. 29 Sun. Went to Church with Carrie and Durbin this morning. Carrie did not feel well so she did not stay to S.S. I went to the Temperance S. S. with Marion. Mary basom was there and sat right back of me. It is a lovely night.

Mar. 30 Mon. We have had a general tear up here today and I am feeling very much as Carrie did yesterday. I copied music and read. Joe came down about tea time and wanted me to come up after supper. I went and we had a good long talk and I got home about half past eight.

Mar. 31 Tues. Had my hair ---(?) and hanging down my back today. Went up to Aunt Lizzie's. She was not at home, so I went over to Carrie's and stayed about an hour. We had quite a good time. Went over to Aunty's and stayed to tea. Uncle John came down home with me. Was introduced to a Mr. Wilson.

Apr. 1 Wed. Joe came down this morning real early. I got ready in a little while and by that time the horses were ready. It was a beautiful morning and we had a splendid ride down to Gill's. Then Marion took the horses back home. I had a good visit with Mr. Gill. Joe was sick at night. We talked in bed until about eleven and then took a moonlight walk hunting eggs. Dressing under difficulties. Made a most ridiculous mistake this afternoon before two ladies mistaking the garment charming the geese (may be confused, as this is written around the Diary's margin).

Apr. 2 Thurs. Named the bed posts last night and the first one I looked at was John Stoddard. John took us over to Mrs. Detts this morning real early. We stayed to dinner, then back to Mr. Gill's. Stayed about two hours. Then got ready and went over to the depot. We had to wait ever so long, but we had some fun for Arthur Moon was there. Got acquainted with Mr. Betts from N. Y. and he is just O.K.

Apr. 3 Fri. Worked hard all of the forenoon. Mrs. Gill was here for a little while. I did some sewing in the afternoon, then Carrie Newton came and stayed until six oclock. Will and I went up to the Normal Lyceum. I got a seat with Carrie N. I feel provoked at D. because he acted so funny. The debate was good but long. got home after eleven.

City politics: headin' south since 1859.

I wish I could take credit for that title, dangit, but it was one inspired by BF. :D